Why have you not gone to thewoods with the other
women?
Behold death hunting all things, thought Wi to
himself. She goes out to sea in her hollow log and returnsleading a host of Red
Wanderers.
What she will do next I do not know, but I am sure
she has worse giftsin her bag. Wi came out of the cleft and stood still,
thinking.
There may have been more that weretaken out to sea.
TheWitch-from-the-Sea whom Wi clasps upon his breast has not died
fortreachery.
Pull it out, Pag, she said, recovering her feet.
Aye, it burns out poison and staunches blood, answered Pag as hecovered Laleela with
her cloak. But this was not so, for the wind blew from the bull to him.
So the Witch lives, she said in a low voice, and
has found a nurse.
Then, if it fell among rocks, why is the shaft
covered with mud,Father?
It was by a chance, answered Laleela with a smile.
Yes, answered Wi, the tribe fought very well. They tell me that you have
conqueredthose Red-Beards. Aye, while Pag pulled she still smiled, thoughhe noted
that her lips turned pale and twitched. Do you mean that Laleela the White Witch
should also be sacrificed tothe Ice-gods?
Yes, answered Wi, the tribe fought very well. Sweet
was herface as she lay thus asleep, and yet, as he thought, sad and
troubled.
They tell me that you have conqueredthose
Red-Beards. Wi gave no answer, for anger made him speechless.
You fight these Wanderers and drivethem away, for a
time.
Wi rose and came to her, then asked:Who told you
that I was going to marry her?
Nearer came the bellowing and the crashings, and
now he saw the greatbrute. Then, able to bear no more, Wi turned and left the cave.
Now I go to tend the wounded of our own people.